Hayward fire Chief Craig Bueno to retire in May

Hayward Fire Chief Craig Bueno announced his retirement Friday, March 16 after many years of dedicated service to the City of Hayward. His retirement will be effective May 12, 2012.

Chief Bueno began his service with the City as a firefighter in 1985 and was quickly elevated through the ranks, serving as Apparatus Operator, Captain, and Battalion Chief before his promotion to Deputy Fire Chief in November 2006. He began an acting assignment as the Fire Chief in December 2007 and was officially promoted to Chief in March 2008.

Then a battalion chief, Craig Bueno answers a call at Station 1 in 2002, when he was awarded the city's medal of valor for dragging a man out of a burning building. (File photo by Jane Tyska/staff)

“Chief Bueno has provided critical leadership to the Fire Department during challenging economic times for the City, while protecting and enhancing the quality of services provided by the Department. I am grateful for his service and contributions to the Department and the community,” commented City Manager Fran David.

During his career, Chief Bueno was elected and served on the Executive Board of Hayward Firefighters IAFF, Local 1909 for 13 years, leaving as President in 1998. He has also served as President of the Alameda County Fire Chief’s Association (ACFCA) and is currently serving as Section Chief of the ACFCA EMS section. Chief Bueno has also been very active in the Hayward community, serving on the St. Rose Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and actively participating in the Hayward Rotary Club.

In reflecting on his service to the Fire Department, Chief Bueno remarked that, “Since the beginning of this Administration, we have worked extremely close with Hayward Firefighters Local 1909 to address the fiscal crisis that struck our Country. I am proud to say that their selfless actions, not accepting a single raise in five years and not only paying the full share of their pension cost, but paying 6% of the City’s cost, are the reason we have been able to keep 100% of our service level to our residents. The relationship that I enjoy with our professional Firefighters is based on respect and trust. Our men and women are the finest the fire service has to offer. I know they will always do the right thing and have trusted them with my life many times.”

Eric Kurhi

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Chief Bueno is to be congratulated for his twenty seven years of service to Hayward. I hope that his plans include retirement and a chance to enjoy his well earned time off.

I hope that the reporting will include the public record pension and benefits, as well as any additional dipping in to the public funds of the state and nation.

It would be a tragedy ip Chief Bueno’s reputation were sullied by abuse of the allocated retirement process.

Teresa Conti

Congratulations to Chief Bueno on his retirement. It is excellent when firemen make it to retirement.

This is a dangerous job. I know from personal experience, for my grandfather, a fireman in Oakland, was killed in the line of duty just days before his retirement, on a call he didn’t have to go on, that turned out to be a false alarm.

I hope he has a great retirement, and comes to visit from time to time.